Fencer and Paralympic Snowboarder Among Winners of USOC Awards

Paralympic snowboarder Mike Minor, fencer Anna van Brummen and the women’s ice hockey team have scooped the United States Olympic Committee’s (USOC) Best of the Month awards for November.

Minor, who is participating in just his second season at international level, won the men’s prize after he secured back-to-back wins at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Para Snowboard World Cup in Landgraaf in The Netherlands.

His triumphs, which came in the banked slalom competitions, saw him recognized by the USOC as they ensured he rose to the summit of the world rankings.

The American is set to be one to look out for the when the World Cup series continues in the New Year with an event due to be held in La Molina in Spain from January 16 to 21.

Van Brummen was the recipient of the women’s award following a successful November, during which she caused a huge upset by winning the women’s épée title at the International Fencing Federation World Cup in Suzhou in China.

The world number 187 found her form at the right time and beat two top-10 fencers on the way to her first individual World Cup medal at the senior level.

The American fencer accounted for Sarra Besbes of Tunisia, then the world number three, in the round of 16 before she overcame Shin A-Lam of South Korea in the last eight.

The women’s ice hockey side claimed the team prize after retaining their Four Nations Cup title in Jarvenpaa in Finland.

Sponsored by Dow with additional support by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Kellogg’s, Samsung and USG, each National Governing Body chose one female, one male and one team per discipline, before an internal nominating committee selected five male and female nominees and three team contenders.

This shortlist was then voted upon by governing body representatives and members of the media, along with fan votes submitted online via the Team USA website.

Want To Contribute?

So you want to contribute to the Sport Digest? We welcome submissions from the public and alumni alike. Below are links to the information you need to know. Feel free to submit a request for any additional information you may need.